Central Bedfordshire Council news and press releases

Rogue landlord fined over £10,000

9 January 2019

We've successfully prosecuted a landlord for not making necessary improvements to his property.

The landlord, Mr Balwinder Singh Chandi, 61, owns a property on Bedford Road in Marston Moretaine and was served with an Housing Act 2004 Improvement Notice as a result of the poor conditions found within an house in multiple occupation (HMO).

An HMO is where at least three tenants live in the property, forming more than one household, and where toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities are shared.

Our housing solutions team served the notice on Mr Balwinder Singh Chandi, but after the landlord did not make the necessary improvements in time, took the case to Luton Magistrates' Court on 18 December 2018.

Mr Balwinder Singh Chandi pleaded guilty and received a fine of £10,000, a victim surcharge of £170 and was ordered to pay costs of £2,356.33 - a total of £12,526.33.

Coouncillor Carole Hegley, Executive Member for Adults, Social Care and Housing Operations said: "Landlords of Houses in Multiple Occupation must apply for a licence, which is in place to ensure that tenants are safe. In this case, despite us requesting that improvements be made, the landlord carried on and has paid the price."

Landlords who fail to apply for a licence will be committing an offence which may result in a prosecution, criminal conviction and a large fine.

If you have a property which requires a House in Multiple Occupation Licence please, contact our private sector housing team on 0300 300 8767 or psh@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.